Voices at the Wall: Discourses of Self, History, and National Identity at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Author: Daphne Berdahl
Source: History and Memory, Fall - Winter 1994, Vol. 6, No. 2 (pp. 88-124)
Published by: Indiana University Press
Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/25618671

Introduction

  • Visitors to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC, exhibit a variety of emotional responses.
      - Responses include:
        - Weeping, praying, mourning, remembering.
        - Silent contemplation, tracing names, taking rubbings, leaving offerings.
      - The memorial serves as a national healing shrine, with many treating their visits as pilgrimages rather than mere tourist stops.

  • The memorial's power is derived from its stark design.
      - Location: Between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.
      - Design elements:
        - Two black granite walls set into the earth.
        - Walls meet at an obtuse angle pointing toward the Lincoln and Washington memorials.
        - Visitors walk down a gently sloping ramp alongside a 494-foot wall.
      - Names Inscribed: Over 58,000 names of U.S. servicemen and women who died or went missing during Vietnam, listed chronologically by casualty date.
      - Represents the escalating destruction of the Vietnam War, requiring active participation from the visitor to engage with the memorial.

  • The primary aim of the paper is to analyze the interplay between public space, private histories, cultural practices, historical memory, and national identity within the context of the memorial.
      - The paper follows a structured narrative that explores themes of silence, healing, historical representation, and personal narrative.

Breaking a Silence: Background

  • The Vietnam War was America's longest and most controversial war, with over 3 million American soldiers serving between 1959 and 1975, many of whom returned permanently disabled.

  • Upon returning, veterans often faced neglect from a public that was largely opposed to the war, lacking the traditional homecoming ceremonies.

  • Memorial conception:
      - Initiated by Vietnam veteran Jan Scruggs, inspired by seeing the film The Deerhunter in 1979.
      - Scruggs and other veterans founded the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) to lobby for a national monument.
      - The site was chosen near the Lincoln Memorial to symbolize national reconciliation and healing.

  • Key themes established during the memorial debates included:
      - Healing the nation by honoring soldiers rather than the war itself, thereby separating the war from the warriors.
      - Fundraising campaigns highlighted the neglect of veterans and underscored the need for a memorial.

  • The design competition for the memorial attracted over 1,400 submissions, with specific guidelines emphasizing no political statements.
      - The winning design by Maya Lin was seen as both controversial and a departure from conventional memorial designs.

The Controversy Surrounding the Memorial

  • Lin's design faced considerable opposition, with critics labeling it as a "black gash of shame" and accusing it of lacking respect for veterans.

  • The controversy reflected deeper struggles over the portrayal and interpretation of history, public art, and the Vietnam War itself.

  • Critics emphasized:
      - The design's perceived antiwar sentiment.
      - The memorial should honor veterans explicitly rather than focusing on individual casualties.

  • A compromise allowed for the addition of a statue and flag, which received mixed receptions.
      - Construction began in March 1982 and the memorial was dedicated in November of that year amidst celebration and recognition of veterans.

  • Veteran narratives during the dedication positioned the memorial as a much-needed recognition of their sacrifices and experiences.

An Explosion of Personal Narratives

  • The dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial catalyzed a rise in personal narratives shared by veterans and community members.

  • The memorial became a cultural and memory site where individual stories were celebrated.

  • The phrase 'last firebase' emerged reflecting a safe space for veterans, allowing them to redefine their experiences.

  • Planned activities during the dedication included ceremonial activities such as wreath-laying and workshops addressing veteran concerns, culminating in a parade of recognition for Vietnam Veterans.

  • The media played a significant role in highlighting personal stories and connections to the Wall, shaping public discourse around the memorial.

  • Offerings left at the memorial depicted a distinct connection between individual lives and their sacrifices, contributing to the collective memory of the event.

  • The overwhelming emotional responses reported in the aftermath illustrated the power of collective remembrance.

Stories, Healing and the Construction of Self

  • Personal narratives became intertwined with the enactment of healing and self-definition.

  • The memorial was viewed as a space to confront the past, commemorate experiences, and a vital stage for the public expression of grief.

  • Traditions established at the Wall often included items representing indelible memories or connections to those remembered.

  • Visitors exhibited profound emotional connections while reflecting on their personal experiences and shared histories with veterans.

  • The notion of healing emerged prominently from the memorial's narratives, encompassing both individual and collective grief.

  • Park Service volunteers documented interactions wherein visitors sought connection with the names on the Wall as a means of establishing memorial relationships with the deceased.

Histories and the Construction of History

  • Items left behind at the Wall provide a glimpse into the broader narrative surrounding the Vietnam War and its aftereffects.

  • These offerings demand historical recognition and contribute to the construction of collective national memory.

  • Public and private memory intertwine:
      - Public memory showcasing individual grievances as memorial artifacts.
      - Items gifted often reflect personal narratives personalized to counter public narratives surrounding the war.

  • The memorial illustrates how memories are crafted into historical artifacts, acknowledging the necessity of individual stories in shaping collective identity.

Conclusion

  • The Vietnam Veterans Memorial serves as a critical site for understanding the convergence of public history and private memory through its emphasis on individual narratives.

  • This memorial continues to challenge dominant narratives, fostering continual dialogue about the Vietnam War and national identity.

  • By amplifying personal narratives and experiences, the Wall remains a pivotal site for cultural expression and historical remembrance, avoiding simplistic representations of the Vietnam War.

  • As the discourse surrounding the Wall evolves, it reflects and engages with memories and identities shaped by historical context, fostering recognition of the complexities and contradictions inherent in the Vietnam experience.